Abstract: A method includes: receiving a plurality of game streams; analyzing each game stream to recognize gameplay activity; obtaining spectating preferences of a user; determining a prioritization of the plurality of game streams based on the recognized gameplay activity and the spectating preferences of the user; providing a recommendation of at least some of the game streams for spectating based on the determined prioritization; responsive to receiving a selection of one of the recommended game streams, then providing the selected game stream for spectating by the user; during the spectating of the selected game stream by the user, monitoring the gameplay activity in the game streams, and updating the prioritization of the plurality of game streams; responsive to detecting a change in the prioritization of the plurality of game streams, then switching the user from the selected game stream to a second selected game stream.

Abstract: A method for placement of a head-up display (HUD) is provided, including: rendering a view of a virtual environment for display to a user; tracking a gaze of the user as the user engages in interactivity with the rendered view of the virtual environment, wherein tracking the gaze of the user generates gaze data, the gaze data identifying locations within the rendered view that the gaze of the user is directed towards during the interactivity; using the gaze data to determine a preferred location for positioning of a HUD in the rendered view; positioning the HUD in the rendered view at the preferred location.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method is provided, performed by at least one server computer, for providing spectating of gameplay of a video game, including: receiving a plurality of game streams, each game stream being generated from an executing session of a video game; analyzing each game stream, to recognize gameplay activity depicted in each game stream; obtaining spectating preferences of a user; determining a prioritization of the plurality of game streams based on the recognized gameplay activity and the spectating preferences of the user; providing, over a network via a client device operated by the user, a recommendation of at least some of the game streams for spectating based on the determined prioritization; responsive to receiving, over the network from the client device, a selection of one of the recommended game streams, then providing, over the network to the client device, the selected game stream for spectating by the user.

Abstract: A method for inserting a virtual object into an augmented reality environment, is provided, including: capturing one or more images of a real world object; processing the one or more images to identify a type of the real world object; based on the identified type of the real world object, generating a virtual object that resembles the real world object; using the identified type of the real world object to assign a functionality to the virtual object, the functionality defining a utility of the virtual object in an augmented reality environment, wherein assigning the functionality enables an action capable of being performed by the virtual object in the augmented reality environment that provides said utility; deploying the virtual object in the augmented reality environment.

Abstract: A method for inserting a virtual object into a virtual environment is provided, including: generating a scan of a real world object; processing the scan to identify a type of the real world object; based on the identified type of the real world object, generating a virtual object that resembles the real world object; based on the identified type of the real world object, assigning a functionality to the virtual object, the functionality defining an action capable of being performed by the virtual object in a virtual environment; deploying the virtual object in the virtual environment.

Abstract: A method for placement of a head-up display (HUD) is provided, including: rendering a view of a virtual environment for display to a user; tracking a gaze of the user as the user engages in interactivity with the rendered view of the virtual environment, wherein tracking the gaze of the user generates gaze data, the gaze data identifying locations within the rendered view that the gaze of the user is directed towards during the interactivity; using the gaze data to determine a preferred location for positioning of a HUD in the rendered view; positioning the HUD in the rendered view at the preferred location.

Abstract: A method is provided, for enabling a spectator of a video game to provide assistance to a player, including: streaming, over a network to a spectator client device operated by a spectator, gameplay video generated from a session of a video game driven by interactive gameplay of a player via a player client device, the gameplay video being rendered by the spectator client device through a spectator interface for viewing by the spectator; during the streaming of the gameplay video, receiving a request from the player client device; responsive to the request, surfacing a notification through the spectator interface, the notification indicating a request for assistance; receiving via the spectator interface, a response to the notification indicating acceptance of the request; responsive to receiving the response, initiating a private communication channel between the spectator client device and the player client device to enable communication between the spectator and the player.

Abstract: A method performed by at least one server computer is provided, including: during interactive gameplay of a multi-player video game, processing game state data to identify gameplay activity of a player as being abusive; responsive to the identifying the gameplay activity as being abusive, then applying a corrective action to the player during the interactive gameplay, the corrective action providing an indication to the player of the gameplay activity that was identified as being abusive; after applying the corrective action, further processing the game state data to identify additional gameplay activity of the player as being abusive; responsive to the identifying the additional gameplay activity as being abusive, then applying a penalty to the player.

Abstract: A method for placement of a head-up display (HUD) is provided, including: rendering a view of a virtual environment for display to a user; tracking a gaze of the user as the user engages in interactivity with the view of the virtual environment, wherein tracking the gaze of the user generates gaze data, the gaze data identifying locations within the view that the gaze of the user is directed towards during the interactivity; using the gaze data to determine a preferred location for positioning of a HUD in the view; positioning the HUD in the view at the preferred location.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method is provided, performed by at least one server computer, for providing spectating of gameplay of a video game, including: receiving a plurality of game streams, each game stream being generated from an executing session of a video game; analyzing each game stream, to recognize gameplay activity depicted in each game stream; obtaining spectating preferences of a user; determining a prioritization of the plurality of game streams based on the recognized gameplay activity and the spectating preferences of the user; providing, over a network via a client device operated by the user, a recommendation of at least some of the game streams for spectating based on the determined prioritization; responsive to receiving, over the network from the client device, a selection of one of the recommended game streams, then providing, over the network to the client device, the selected game stream for spectating by the user.

Abstract: A method is provided, for enabling a spectator of a video game to provide assistance to a player, including: streaming, over a network to a spectator client device operated by a spectator, gameplay video generated from a session of a video game driven by interactive gameplay of a player via a player client device, the gameplay video being rendered by the spectator client device through a spectator interface for viewing by the spectator; during the streaming of the gameplay video, receiving a request from the player client device; responsive to the request, surfacing a notification through the spectator interface, the notification indicating a request for assistance; receiving via the spectator interface, a response to the notification indicating acceptance of the request; responsive to receiving the response, initiating a private communication channel between the spectator client device and the player client device to enable communication between the spectator and the player.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing accessibility features for generating annotations for a video content stream includes providing an annotation menu with a plurality of annotation options for defining annotations for the video content stream. Each annotation option provides an annotation tool to generate an annotation that corresponds with an accessibility feature defined by the annotation option. Annotation generated using the annotation tool is used to generate an annotation layer for the video content stream. An annotated video content stream is generated by overlaying the annotation layer over the video content stream. The annotated video content stream generated for the selected annotation option is provided for rendering at a client device of a user, in response to receiving a selection of the accessibility feature corresponding to the annotation option from the user. The annotations included in the annotated video content stream augments the content of the video content stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing accessibility features for generating annotations for a video content stream include providing an annotation menu with a plurality of annotation options for defining annotations for the video content stream. Each annotation option provides an annotation tool to generate an annotation that corresponds with an accessibility feature defined by the annotation option. Annotation generated using the annotation tool is used to generate an annotation layer for the video content stream. An annotated video content stream is generated by overlaying the annotation layer over the video content stream. The annotated video content stream generated for the selected annotation option is provided for rendering at a client device of a user, in response to receiving a selection of the accessibility feature corresponding to the annotation option from the user. The annotations included in the annotated video content stream augments the content of the video content stream.

Abstract: A method for placement of a head-up display (HUD) is provided, including: rendering a view of a virtual environment for display to a user; tracking a gaze of the user as the user engages in interactivity with the view of the virtual environment, wherein tracking the gaze of the user generates gaze data, the gaze data identifying locations within the view that the gaze of the user is directed towards during the interactivity; using the gaze data to determine a preferred location for positioning of a HUD in the view; positioning the HUD in the view at the preferred location.

Abstract: A method performed by at least one server computer is provided, including: during interactive gameplay of a multi-player video game, processing game state data to identify gameplay activity of a player as being abusive; responsive to the identifying the gameplay activity as being abusive, then applying a corrective action to the player during the interactive gameplay, the corrective action providing an indication to the player of the gameplay activity that was identified as being abusive; after applying the corrective action, further processing the game state data to identify additional gameplay activity of the player as being abusive; responsive to the identifying the additional gameplay activity as being abusive, then applying a penalty to the player.

Abstract: A method for inserting a virtual object into a virtual environment is provided, including: generating a scan of a real world object; processing the scan to identify a type of the real world object; based on the identified type of the real world object, generating a virtual object that resembles the real world object; based on the identified type of the real world object, assigning a functionality to the virtual object, the functionality defining an action capable of being performed by the virtual object in a virtual environment; deploying the virtual object in the virtual environment.

Abstract: User engagement with movies is increased by enabling users to use their own vision, imagination, and creativity to generate user created alternate endings and/or sequences. In the context of movies presented through computer simulation consoles, the simulation community activity can be enhanced by providing the option of sharing user-customized creations as well as watching (and possibly rating) other user's creations.

Abstract: User engagement with movies is increased by enabling users to use their own vision, imagination, and creativity to generate user created alternate endings and/or sequences. In the context of movies presented through computer simulation consoles, the simulation community activity can be enhanced by providing the option of sharing user-customized creations as well as watching (and possibly rating) other user's creations.

Abstract: On a portable electronic device, multiple-position toggle button data entry keys are provided within the data entry keypad. A controller detects activation of each multiple-position toggle button data entry key on the keypad by a user, and also detects the number of times the data entry key is activated. The controller then accesses a key map in memory to determine the letter or numeric digit selected by the user. All letters and numbers represented on the communication device may be activated with no more than two depressions or activations of a corresponding toggle button.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically grouping messaging buddies in an electronic network may include a user device that communicates with a server device in the electronic network for transmitting message information to one or more selected buddy devices in the electronic network. The server device may include a profile database that is configured to store profiles which each include designated profile attributes for a corresponding one of the messaging buddies. A device user may utilize a messaging application of the user device to enter a dynamic grouping mode for generating a dynamic buddy list from a static buddy list based upon a grouping query of the various profiles in the profile database.